python-samples

name	python-samples
description	Guidelines for creating and modifying sample code in the Agent Framework Python codebase. Use this when writing new samples or updating existing ones.

Python Samples

File Structure

Every sample file follows this order:

1. PEP 723 inline script metadata (if external dependencies needed)
2. Copyright header: # Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.
3. Required imports
4. Module docstring: """This sample demonstrates..."""
5. Helper functions
6. Main function(s) demonstrating functionality
7. Entry point: if __name__ == "__main__": asyncio.run(main())

External Dependencies

Use PEP 723 inline script metadata for external packages not in the dev environment:

# /// script
# requires-python = ">=3.10"
# dependencies = [
#     "some-external-package",
# ]
# ///
# Run with: uv run samples/path/to/script.py

# Copyright (c) Microsoft. All rights reserved.

Do not add sample-only dependencies to the root pyproject.toml dev group.

Syntax Checking

# Check samples for syntax errors and missing imports
uv run poe samples-syntax

# Lint samples
uv run poe samples-lint

Documentation

Samples should be over-documented:

1. Include a README.md in each set of samples
2. Add a summary docstring under imports explaining the purpose and key components
3. Mark code sections with numbered comments:

   # 1. Create the client instance.
   ...
   # 2. Create the agent with the client.
   ...
   

4. Include expected output at the end of the file:

   """
   Sample output:
   User:> Why is the sky blue?
   Assistant:> The sky is blue due to Rayleigh scattering...
   """
   

Guidelines

• Incremental complexity — start simple, build up (step1, step2, ...)
• Getting started naming: step<number>_<name>.py
• When modifying samples, update associated README files